Gear

The 28th ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) finished up in St. Lucia in mid December, and a stroll around the docks at the IGY Rodney Bay Marina yielded some interesting sights. Not least among them was the number of general-purpose production cruisers that weren’t specifically built or marketed as ocean boats

Having accurate tide and current information is invaluable when planning your trip through shallow waters or anticipating tidal changes when setting your anchor. Many of the popular navigation apps include tides and currents.

Automatic AirbagsFor years, inflatable PFDs have provided sailors with a comfortable way to stay safe without wearing bulky gear. But there are more than a few stories of unwanted deployments. And how would you pull the jacket’s back-up manual “inflate” tab if you were knocked unconscious while getting tossed in the drink? Mustang

TIES THAT BINDLongtime European ropemaker Teufelberger recentlypartnered with Ronstan to distribute Teufelberger’s FSERobline sailing ropes around the world. These ropes cover the full gamut of sailing needs, from all-around docking and mooring lines to state-of-the-art racing cords that have been proven on Volvo Ocean

AerobucksIn 2003 Erin Hemmings used an Aerobie Pro Ring to set the Guinness World Record for the longest throw of an object without any velocity-adding propulsion. Now Aerobie has launched a hand-held espresso maker. The connection? Both devices help you go the distance. Simply insert a filter, set the AeroPress over a coffee mug, add coffee and

In 2003 Erin Hemmings used an Aerobie Pro Ring to set the Guinness World Record for the longest throw of an object without any velocity-adding propulsion. Now Aerobie has launched a hand-held espresso maker. The connection? Both devices help you go the distance. Simply insert a filter, set the AeroPress over a coffee mug, add coffee and hot water, stir, and depress the plunger. The durable FULL STORY

It’s miserable to pull a frigid midnight watch shift during a stormy passage or an ocean race and not be prepared for the cold. To this end Patagonia recently introduced a new line of merino-wool base layers. These chlorine-free garments are soft against the skin (I hate scratchy wool), resist the growth of odor-causing bacteria, and are sold in different weights for different activities. FULL STORY